This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Other Education Issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Bullying or Harassment Complaint Form Checklist
Learn about student’s rights to be free from bullying and harassment and what you can do as a parent or caregiver. This checklist can be used to guide you as you fill out a Bullying/Harassment Complaint. If your child’s school uses a certain form, use that form. If not, you can use this sample form.
High School Equivalency (GED)/ Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD)
Information on the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD), which is a high school equivalency credential available to Pennsylvania residents who do not possess a high school diploma and who have met criteria specified in the Pennsylvania Code. The Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma may be achieved by passing the GED® test or the HiSET® exam or by completing the 30 College Credit Option.
Pupil Transportation Issues - Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about pupil transportation from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Rights of Multilingual & Culturally Diverse Families
Information from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania. Overview of the rights of students receiving English language instruction (identified in laws as English learners or ELs) and parents or guardians whose first language is not English (identified in laws as limited English proficient or LEP). August 2024.
School Immunization Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s immunization regulations require parents or guardians of students enrolled in grades K-12 to have their children immunized against various diseases in order to protect the health and safety of all students. This fact sheet helps families understand and navigate these requirements. (2023)
The Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Youth who are experiencing homelessness have special rights under a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act. This fact sheet provides detailed information and resources for youth experiencing homelessness regarding their education rights under that federal law. A sample complaint form is provided. (August 2023)
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Mediation (Special Education)
Even when parents and school officials try their best to reach agreement on a student’s special education program, disagreements can occur. If this happens, mediation, which is a free, voluntary, and confidential alternative to a formal due process hearing, is an option. Mediation can take place at any time before or during the due process cycle. Mediation is not a required process and may not delay or deny a parent the right to a due process hearing. Information on the Mediation process from the Office of Dispute Resolution (Special Education).
Request for Translation and Interpretation Services
Federal civil rights laws require schools to provide free language services for multilingual parents or caregivers whose first language is not English. This form and checklist includes questions the parent or caregiver can ask about the types of language services available and when the school can provide language services. By asking these questions, the parent or caregiver will learn about the process to request language services and the point of contact at the school responsible for providing interpretation and/or translation. This self-advocacy tool is available for general education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali. This self-advocacy tool is available for special education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali.
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Bullying or Harassment Complaint Form Checklist
Learn about student’s rights to be free from bullying and harassment and what you can do as a parent or caregiver. This checklist can be used to guide you as you fill out a Bullying/Harassment Complaint. If your child’s school uses a certain form, use that form. If not, you can use this sample form.
Educational Decision Makers and Surrogate Parents in Pennsylvania
The Education Law Center and Juvenile Law Center have developed this fact sheet to explain important educational decision maker rules to ensure that every child in the dependency and delinquency system has an active, involved adult to make education decisions. This includes when judges are required to appoint an “Educational Decision Maker” for children who have no capable parent or guardian to make education decisions for them, and situations where school districts have a duty to appoint a “surrogate parent” for children with special education needs.(2014)
Education Law Center
The Education Law Center is a non-profit legal advocacy and educational organization, dedicated to ensuring that all of Pennsylvania's children have access to a quality public education.
Request for Translation and Interpretation Services
Federal civil rights laws require schools to provide free language services for multilingual parents or caregivers whose first language is not English. This form and checklist includes questions the parent or caregiver can ask about the types of language services available and when the school can provide language services. By asking these questions, the parent or caregiver will learn about the process to request language services and the point of contact at the school responsible for providing interpretation and/or translation. This self-advocacy tool is available for general education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali. This self-advocacy tool is available for special education in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Nepali.
Rights of Multilingual & Culturally Diverse Families
Information from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania. Overview of the rights of students receiving English language instruction (identified in laws as English learners or ELs) and parents or guardians whose first language is not English (identified in laws as limited English proficient or LEP). August 2024.
School Immunization Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s immunization regulations require parents or guardians of students enrolled in grades K-12 to have their children immunized against various diseases in order to protect the health and safety of all students. This fact sheet helps families understand and navigate these requirements. (2023)
The Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Youth who are experiencing homelessness have special rights under a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act. This fact sheet provides detailed information and resources for youth experiencing homelessness regarding their education rights under that federal law. A sample complaint form is provided. (August 2023)
The Right to Special Education In Pennsylvania: A Guide for Parents and Advocates [PDF]
Children with disabilities can do great things in school and in life when they get the right supports and services. This Guide is meant to help you – the parent – learn how the system designed to educate children with disabilities (called special education) works in Pennsylvania and how you can make it work for your child. This Guide describes the legal rules for special education and early intervention programs in Pennsylvania for children from ages three until the student’s 22nd birthday. The rules discussed in this Guide apply to children who attend public schools in Pennsylvania, including charter schools. (2021)
High School Equivalency (GED)/ Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD)
Information on the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD), which is a high school equivalency credential available to Pennsylvania residents who do not possess a high school diploma and who have met criteria specified in the Pennsylvania Code. The Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma may be achieved by passing the GED® test or the HiSET® exam or by completing the 30 College Credit Option.
Mediation (Special Education)
Even when parents and school officials try their best to reach agreement on a student’s special education program, disagreements can occur. If this happens, mediation, which is a free, voluntary, and confidential alternative to a formal due process hearing, is an option. Mediation can take place at any time before or during the due process cycle. Mediation is not a required process and may not delay or deny a parent the right to a due process hearing. Information on the Mediation process from the Office of Dispute Resolution (Special Education).
Pupil Transportation Issues - Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about pupil transportation from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.